How long?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 21 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Snuggle_69217	21 Feb 2004
How long Does it usually take Somebody to do a 3 card spread for sombody else? Or any other kind of Reading like celtic cross.

contrascarpe	21 Feb 2004
Snuggle - I think it depends mostly on your style and how much detail you go into. Most professional readers will do an average reading in 15-20 minutes, but most use their own spreads. Personally, I figure a 3 card reading can be done with some degree of detail in 10 minutes and a good Celtic should be about 20. I have seen the Celtic done in as few as 5 (and still be done well) and have seen it take quite awhile. As you learn, you will develop your own style and get a feeling for what is right for you. I tend to not like to rush a reading. Most of my inspiration comes from really studying and "connecting" with a card. Dan

Alissa	22 Feb 2004
Mine very widely. A three card spread is sometimes read at a glance it's so fast - those days I feel like the cards are practically screaming at me. Other times I can spend 20 minutes on three cards and feel quite fulfilled that the cards' messages were all delivered in their own good time. For large spreads, those over say 7 cards, those will take me a good half hour on average, adding of subtracting about 15 minutes to that.

estroncios	22 Feb 2004
time is something strange for me cos sometimes i do a read in between 20 or 30 m but sometime i look at the cards many many and many times and i really dont understand what they mean so i write their names and their position down and some time later i try to understand their meaning

Osher	23 Feb 2004
Sometimes I can read, when on form, and connected to the readee, very quickly. Sometimes I struggle. However, on average 15-20 minutes for a full CC, sometimes longer. For a quick read, using 3x3 cards, then as little as 3-4 minutes, but generally double that. However....I will still be thinking about it, and sometimes hours later will realise something I didn't see or feel before.

ros	23 Feb 2004
I think it just depends on the person & what's the question. Also we know some cards better than others, like direct hits. Somedays also are good & somedays are not. There is no time limit because there are so many things you can do with these cards when you start to layer them. Everyone goes at their own comfort.

Teranar	23 Feb 2004
I've had three card readings so direct and to the point I got them done in 30 seconds and said all that I needed to say. Other times I keep it short just so I can say I gave the person a reading so they'll go away. Usually I spend about 3 or so minutes a card, and I make my own spreads. Spewer of oddities, -"Oooo! One of my spreads was once in a calender!" Teranar

Umbrae	24 Feb 2004
You know, I’ve had 7-card readings last 5 minutes, I’ve had 3-card readings last and hour. The reverse is also true. Time does not include quality and context of the reading. How long should 1-card reading last? As long as it takes. …and every day is different. Every reading is different. …and Spirit does not wear a watch…

MeeWah	24 Feb 2004
Snuggle_69217: That varies widely. I have spent nigh as long on a 3-card reading as on a reading of more cards. I do not place a time restriction on a reading & am not aware of time during readings either. Those that involve transcription to e-mail take longer. Readings for in-person querents take any where from minutes to 2 hours.

The How long? thread was originally posted on 21 Feb 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.